RDS Financial Services Blog

Why 529 Plans Are a Smart Way to Invest for College

8/25/2015

Although 529 plans have been available for nearly two decades, most don't understand them well.

What if someone offered you an opportunity to save money for your child's college education, with no tax consequences until you withdrew the money? In addition, depending where you live, your state might also offer tax breaks and other incentives to participate.

To sweeten the pot even more, you could use the money not only for a traditional four-year degree for your child, but for vocational programs and graduate school, or even for yourself or another family member if your child does not pursue higher education.

Turns out, that investment vehicle does exist. It's the 529 college savings plan, named after the section of Internal Revenue Service code that established the plans in 1996.

Two in three Americans could not identify a 529 as a college savings tool, yet for many, the need or desire to help their kids with college is one of their most significant priorities, from a financial perspective.

So there is almost a disconnect. We know it's a significant need. The cost of college is increasing at a rate greater than inflation, so families are grappling with how to address this. Yet one of the most beneficial tools for doing so is unrecognized by two out of three. It's a missed opportunity, given that it is such an important need for so many families today.

For students and prospective students with time to prepare, these tax-sheltered accounts can work nicely. In recent years, many students, or their parents, have resorted mainly to borrowing to pay for college. At $1.2 trillion, student loans now rank as the second-biggest type of consumer debt, behind only mortgages.

But that also means sizable loan payments await, and not all graduates or dropouts have been able to handle their obligations. Student-loan delinquencies have been rising, and this type of debt generally can't be discharged in bankruptcy. Many borrowers undoubtedly wish they, or relatives, had started investment accounts instead.

Section-529 plans are a potential solution, at least for students, parents, grandparents or others with time to let the accounts grow for many years.

Let us help you create your college savings plan. Call us today!

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A Disaster Damaged Your Home? How to File a Successful Insurance Claim.

7/25/2015

The TV commercials make it look so easy, you experience a disaster and, like magic, your insurance company swoops in and solves all your problems.

Unfortunately, it rarely works that way in real life. Instead, if a disaster such as a fire, hurricane, earthquake or hailstorm damages your home, it's important to advocate for yourself.

Here are nine ways to get the best results from your insurance claim after a disaster:

Know what your policy covers. Every insurance policy is different in regards to coverage. Deductibles may not be the same for all types of claims. Does your policy pay for the actual cash value of your home and contents, or do you have replacement cost coverage, which pays the cost of buying new stuff or rebuilding your house, with some limitations? You may need to add what's called ordinance or law coverage to pay for upgrades that are required by building codes. Most of the time if you have substantial damage, there are going to be upgrades that you'll need to make.

Document your loss. That could mean providing photos or video showing the damaged items or producing a copy of a household inventory or receipts. What a lot of people don't understand is that the burden of proof is on you, as the insured. You have to produce a document, produce an estimate.

Protect your home from further damage. If your roof is blown off or your windows are broken, the insurance company expects you to secure those openings before more damage occurs, which may not be covered. Some companies may look at it as negligence if you don't take the necessary precautions.

Negotiate if you don't like the initial offer. Get estimates from multiple contractors and send them to the insurance company with your request for reconsideration. Insurance companies are relying too heavily on computer programs to estimate repair costs. You can expect that there will be a gap between the amount the insurance company says it will cost to make repairs and the estimates you get from local contractors.

Hire licensed contractors. Get at least three estimates, and check references, licenses and insurance. Never hire a contractor who says he was simply "in the neighborhood." After a disaster, reputable contractors don't need to solicit business, and those who go door to door are often unlicensed at best and scammers at worst.

Vet the contractors recommended by your insurance company. In some cases, insurance companies have a list of contractors who have agreed to do the work for what the company will pay. Ask about warranties, references, licenses and insurance. Sometimes these people that they bring in are good and sometimes they're not. If you don't like those contractors, you can choose your own.

Consider hiring a public adjuster. If you'd rather let someone else handle your claim, or if you feel the amount offered is inadequate, a public adjuster may be able to help. Before you hire a public adjuster, ask for references and check the adjuster out as you would any other contractor. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters is a good place to start. "It's very hard for the average consumer to self-advocate in these situations. It can be challenging to take on an insurance company because they've got armies of lawyers on their payrolls.

Beware of scams. Disasters bring scam artists out of the woodwork. Be wary of out-of-town roofing companies and contractors who are simply stopping by to solicit your business. Remember that good contractors don't need to solicit business after a disaster.

Allow us to review your insurance policy. Call us today!

Twenty-five Percent of Americans Save No Money For Emergencies.

6/25/2015

Any good financial planner will generally tell you to set aside at least three to six months' living expenses for a rainy day.

An emergency fund helps you pay bills such as your mortgage, utilities and groceries in the event you lose your job or become disabled, or to pay for an unexpected car or home repair, to name a few examples.

If you've put off this financial necessity, you're not alone. More than one in four Americans save no money for emergencies, according to a recent Bankrate survey. About one in five people sock away enough to cover less than three months of expenses.

Yet more than a third (34%) of respondents reported a recent unexpected event such as a medical problem or a home-related expense that stung financially, according to Pew Research national survey.

The ideal size of your fund depends on such factors as the number of incomes in your household, your earnings from such other sources as pensions or investments, your access to a home equity line of credit and your overall cost of living. Many people also underestimate expenses or only consider fixed expenses such as a mortgage or car payments. Examine your whole budget.

With savings accounts paying very little interest, if any at all, one big question becomes where to invest your emergency fund. Your fund needs to be liquid; you need easy access to the money without having to wait days, weeks or months.

One suggestion would be for you to place your emergency fund in a savings account. You may also place the funds in a money market account at a bank, discount brokerage house, or other financial institution. These accounts are liquid and stable, usually invested in bonds and other low-yielding paper.

Don't expect a high rate of return for these types of accounts; the point is to not expose these funds to needless risk. For example, putting your emergency fund in an aggressive stock mutual fund, which I don't recommend, may get you better returns, but your safety net can be significantly diminished, or you can loose it all together, in the event of a market crash or correction. This would leave you with a fraction of the money you originally used to fund the account.

That's bad news indeed in a financial emergency.

Feel free to contact us at RDS Financial Services should you have any questions.

5 Term Life Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

5/27/2015

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What are some mistakes to avoid when deciding on the types of term life to purchase?

Below you will find a brief list to help you make that decision. Here are five mistakes people make.

Buying Too Little To Replace Income

Always buy ten to twelve times your income in life insurance coverage. That small policy you’re getting through work, which might be one year’s worth of coverage, isn’t near enough.

If you’re the primary source of income in your household, then your spouse and kids need to be taken care of if something should happen to you. Making sure you have plenty of coverage will allow them to live comfortably and maintain their lifestyle until they figure out the next step in their lives.

By investing the insurance proceeds, you can earn a rate of return that replaces your lost earnings and provide security. Just as important, don’t forget to get coverage for both spouses. Even stay-at-home parents need to have term life insurance.

Waiting Too Long To Obtain Coverage

If you wait too long to buy life insurance, you leave your family vulnerable if something unexpected happens to you. Term life insurance premiums generally increase as you get older, so buying sooner rather than later can save you money.

The older we get, the more at risk we are for health issues. That will increase the cost of your life insurance, or even make you ineligible to purchase it. Many people think they should wait until they are debt free to buy life insurance, but that’s when your family is the most vulnerable. As you reduce debt and increase savings, you slowly begin to reduce your need for life insurance as well.

Buying For Too Short Of A Term

You might be trying to save a few dollars by choosing shorter term coverage. But what happens if you buy a ten-year policy and you have medical issues ten years from now that raise the cost of your next plan, or worse, make it so you can’t get coverage at all? That will cost you even more in the long run.

So how long should you buy for? At RDS Financial Services will review your individual needs, and we will tailor a life insurance program that's right for you.

Buying Too Many Riders

Some people purchase policy riders that increase their premium, but offer very little value. Some of the more popular riders might include income replacement, waiver of premium, critical illness and accidental death. Most people will buy these because they have an emotional value attached to them, but they have very little actual benefit.

Failing To Occasionally Review Your Life Insurance Policy

It’s a good idea to review your life insurance policy to make sure that you have exactly what you need for your current situation. The coverage you purchased 10 years ago may have been exactly what you needed at the time, but that doesn’t mean it works for you now.

Make sure you have enough insurance to take care of your changing needs. Since then, perhaps you had a child, bought a new home, received a raise at work, quit smoking, or had other health improvements. These life-changing events can either help you save money or require that you purchase additional coverage.

Life insurance is a major part of a healthy financial plan. Don’t put off the purchase of life insurance, or you could find yourself in financial trouble in the days ahead.

Call Us Today And Schedule Your Free Consultation!

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Identity Theft

4/27/2015

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What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is when someone obtains and illegally uses your identifying information, such as your name, address, date of birth, social security number, or mother's maiden name. An imposter can open new credit card accounts, withdraw money from your bank account, leaving you with nothing, purchase automobiles, apply for loans, open utility services and on and on.

No matter how cautious you are, you cannot guarantee that a criminal will not obtain your information. The following steps will help you identify the warning signs, show you how to protect yourself, and what to do if you become a victim of identity theft.

Warning Signs

Often there are no warning signs that identify that a theft has occurred. However, some reasons for concern are:

You suddenly stop receiving your monthly bank and credit card statements.

You're denied credit for no apparent reason.

You start receiving statements from companies that you don't recognize.

Credit collection agencies try to collect on debts that don't belong to you.

The above referenced concerns are not all inclusive.

How To Protect Yourself - Personal Information

Familiarize yourself with your bank's, doctor's office, other businesses you do business with, and your employer's privacy policies, and ask them how they safeguard your personal information.

Never carry your social security card, social security number, birth certificate, or passport on your person, unless it's absolutely necessary.

Do not put your address, telephone number and/or driver's license number on a credit card sales receipt.

Social security or telephone numbers should not be printed on checks.

Identifying information should never be given over the phone or the internet to someone you do not know or on a cellular or cordless phone (think old party lines).

Shred all personal documents before placing them in the trash, including an pre-approved credit card offers. You may opt-out from receiving these unsolicited credit card offers by calling
1-888-5 OPT OUT.

If your state uses your social Social Security number as your driver's license number, request another number.

How To Protect Yourself - Financial Information

Obtain a copy of your credit report each year.

Keep your financial records out of sight. Burglars are just as interested in your credit cards, bank accounts, and other investment statements as they're in your TV, jewelry, and other valuables.

Scan over your monthly statements for debits, and charges that you didn't make. If your monthly statements don't arrive in the mail, call the company or institution immediately.

Keep a list of all bank accounts, and credit cards, including account numbers, phone numbers, and expiration dates.

When making an online purchase, make sure that it's processed over a secured server.

If you have a credit card(s) that you no longer use, store them in a safe place, or better yet, cancel the account(s) altogether. Be sure to cut them up, and dispose of them properly.

Carry only credit cards that you plan to use.

If you've recently a[p[lied for a new credit card, be sure to keep an eye out for the mail. If the card doesn't arrive within the appropriate timeframe, call the credit card company.

When asked to setup a password for the account, do not use your mother's maiden name.

Unless your mailbox is secure, consider a post office box instead.

What To Do If You Have Become A Victim

Despite your best efforts to protect yourself, you've become a victim. Now what? Take the following steps immediately to insure your protection.

Record Keeping

Throughout the resolution process, be sure to keep records of all correspondence with the creditors and government agencies you contact, including the name and number of the individual(s) you talked to, as well as the date you called.

Creditors

Notify all creditors and financial institutions in writing and by phone, that your name and your accounts have been used without your permission. If an existing account has been stolen, ask the creditor(s) or bank(s) to issue you a new card(s), checks and account numbers. Monitor all account activity on your statements. Report fraudulent activity immediately.

Local Law Enforcement

File a criminal report with to your local police. Provide them with as much documentation as possible. Make sure that all accounts are listed on the police report. Be sure to obtain a police report for your records. Financial institutions and credit card companies may require that you provide them with a copy of the police report to support your claim.

Federal Law Enforcement

Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC provides information on ways to resolve problems resulting from identity theft and refers individuals to various private and government agencies.

Credit Reporting Agencies

Contact the fraud unit of each of the three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Have them place an alert on your credit report to help prevent new fraudulent accounts form being opened. Fraud alerts expire, so be sure to ask when it will expire, and make a note in your records so that you may renew it at that time.

Lastly, as a victim, you're entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Click on the URL below, or cut and paste the URL to your browser. Order yours today!

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

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Tips For Spring Cleaning Your Finances

3/20/2015

Spring Is The Perfect Time To Freshen Up Your Finances.

As the weather starts to get a bit warmer, you might be thinking about spring cleaning in your home. It’s time to clean up and run a few boxes of unused items down to your local Goodwill.

While you’re at it, you might want to take the time to spring clean your finances.

Start With Your Budget.

Since your budget or spending plan is probably the most important piece of your financial plan, start here. Take some time to go over your spending during the past few months.

Do you notice any problem spending areas?, or are there any areas where you’re budgeting more than you need to?, adjust your budget accordingly. While you’re at it, see how well you’ve been doing. Have you been sticking to your budget? If you find yourself constantly tweaking your budget throughout the month, you’re spending too much time on it. Work to simplify your budget.

Clean Up Your Accounts.

Now is a great time to consolidate accounts, and get rid of unused accounts.

If you have multiple bank accounts open that you rarely use, consider closing them. If you’re unhappy with your bank, now is a great time to switch.

Retirement Accounts and Investments

Many people have at least one retirement account from an old employer sitting around. Instead of dealing with multiple 401(k) accounts, roll them into the one to streamline your retirement savings.

Look at your 401(k) beneficiaries. If you haven’t updated that information in a while, you could still be listing your parents as beneficiaries of a 401(k) you got at your first job. If you’re married and/or have children, you’ll probably want to change that. The same goes with a divorce, you probably won’t want your ex listed as a beneficiary.

Consider increasing your 401(k) contributions. At the minimum, you should be putting enough aside to take advantage of your employer's full match.

Opt For Less Paper.

Most accounts these days offer a paperless billing option. Opting out from receiving all those paper bills in the mail, especially if you use online bill pay, can cut back on clutter, paper, and help out the environment.

Check Your Withholding.

Tax return checks seem wonderful. But if you received a sizable return this year, it just means you gave Uncle Sam an interest-free loan throughout the year.

When setting up your withholding, your goal should be to achieve a balance. You want to get as much as possible in your paychecks without owing the Internal Revenue Service money when you file your taxes. So adjust your withholding as needed to get to this point.

Create A Home Inventory.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, which you should, you need to have a home inventory of all your possessions. An inventory will make it much easier to replace your items in case of a disaster.

So if you don’t have an inventory, it’s time to make one. Take photos of most of the items in your home, especially big-ticket items such as electronics and furniture. Then, write down the approximate amount that you paid for the item, and start saving receipts for new items you bring into your home.

Shop Around.

I'm actually surprised that more consumers don't do this. If it’s been awhile since you shopped around for better rates on your car insurance, cable, cell-phone plan, or other recurring items, now is the time. You should be shopping for better rates at least once a year, preferably twice, to ensure you’re not overpaying for services.

Check Up On Insurance Coverage.

When was the last time you reviewed your auto, homeowners or life insurance policies? It may be time to give your insurance a check-up. Review your policy documents to ensure you have adequate coverage.

For instance, many people purchase life insurance, pay the premium, and forget about it. That may be fine if you don’t have any life events that change your insurance needs. But you may want to take another look if you have recently married or divorced, which means that you should update your beneficiaries. Perhaps you've received a substantial increase in pay, which affects the amount your family will need for income replacement. The birth of a child will certainly require you to increase the amount of life insurance needed to cover child care, college costs, and other expenses. Last, but certainly not least, a new mortgage can certainly become a burden on the family in the event of a loss of a wage earner.

With all this in mind, one in four Americans say they need more life insurance, but only one in 10 say they are likely to purchase a policy in the next year. If this is your year to take the life insurance plunge, our Financial Calculators can help you assess your financial needs.

Click the orange button below to be re-directed to our Financial Calculators page.

Housing construction materials and other building costs are not getting any cheaper, you may also need to upgrade your homeowners insurance policy to ensure you could rebuild in case of a total loss.

Sort Out Paperwork.

This step is great for spring cleaning both your home and your finances. Take the time to sort through your paperwork and files, and shred the documents you no longer need. Consider scanning and electronically filing the documents you decide to hold on to.

For instance, the federal government recommends that you only need to keep bank statements for a year, and you can discard tax documents and their supporting records after seven years.

*** Be sure you adequately shred any documents that include personal information. ***

Credit Cards and Debt

Haven’t checked your credit score in a while? According to a 2013 study by the Federal Trade Commission, 5% of people have errors on their credit report at one of the three major reporting agencies—errors that might be hurting their score and forcing them to pay more for loans and insurance.

Pull your reports from all three major credit bureaus. You may order them at AnnualCreditReport.com, review them, and ask that any errors be corrected or removed.

Give these areas a good spring cleaning and head into summer with your finances in good order.

RDS Financial Services can help. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

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Stay Active in the Cold, Don't Hibernate.

2/16/2015

It’s never too difficult to think of reasons to abandon your workout routine. This is especially true during the winter months, when the temperatures drop, the sky turns dark, and the wind seems to start pushing you back indoors to the warmth of your couch. Health experts urge, however, that exercise should be incorporated into your everyday routine, no matter the weather.

The advantages of regular exercise are too great to be put on hold when workouts become inconvenient, especially during colder months. People who exercise reduce their risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, diabetes and osteoporosis.

In addition to these benefits, exercising can help with the winter blues as well. Regular workouts will improve your mood, increase your energy level and help you sleep better at night.

There are many ways to continue your fitness regime during the winter. All it takes is a little creativity and knowing how to dress for the outdoor climate.

Winter Exercise Ideas

To battle the cold weather excuses, explore new methods of exercise, such as the following:

Walk the mall: Leave your wallet at home and use the mall as an indoor track.
Join a health club. Choose one close to home or work and ask the staff to show you how to use the equipment.
Join a class or indoor team: There are plenty of fitness classes available through community organizations or local health clubs. Choose a class suited to your fitness level and taste.
Find an indoor pool: Indoor swimming is a great way to build stamina and stay lean through winter. Whether you’re taking a dip for a water-aerobics class or swimming some laps, there are plenty of ways to enjoy water inside.
Create a home gym: Invest in some practical, enjoyable and easy-to-use exercise equipment. Consider buying used.
Everything counts: From vacuuming the house to shoveling snow, remember that many activities count toward being fit. Even if you don’t have a workout planned for the day, try to think of some way to be active.

Of course, you can also continue your workouts outside in the winter and get a great workout, too. Whether it’s running, walking, snow-shoeing, skiing, or skating, be sure to wear the appropriate amount of clothing for the various outdoor winter activities.

The key to staying comfortable and safe during outdoor winter workouts is to dress in layers. That way, as your body temperature rises during the workout, you can peel away the layers you no longer need.

Optimizing Your Outfit

Here are some guidelines for suiting up safely:

Layering: Start with a thin synthetic material to draw sweat away from your body. Your second layer should be an insulating layer, preferably fleece, which will keep you warm, but also allow water vapor to pass through. Finally, top it off with a waterproof, breathable outer layer to protect you from the winter elements.
Cover your extremities: Fingers, toes and ears are most susceptible to frostbite. Remember, you lose 90% of your body heat through your head, so be sure to always wear a hat.
Take safety precautions: If it’s dark outside, wear a reflective outer layer. If the surface of the ground is uneven due to weather conditions, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls.
Sunscreen: Snow reflects the sun's rays, so sunburn is possible even if you're cold.

When it's cold outdoors, there's no need to give up and hit the couch. With a little planning and creativity, you can step up to the challenges of winter exercise and maintain your healthy lifestyle.

Getting Ready to File Your Tax Return?

1/21/2015

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The Health Care Law

It’s always a good idea to get organized and prepare early to file your income tax return. Certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act, also known as the Health Care Law, will probably affect your federal tax return when you file this year.

You or your tax professional should consider preparing and filing your tax return electronically. Using tax preparation software is the easiest way to file a tax return. There are a variety of electronic filing options, including our very own RDS Financial Services Self Prepare Tax Portal. You may access it via our website at www.rdsfinancialservices.com. This option is not for everyone.

Having said that, no tax preparation software is a substitute for knowledge of the Tax Code, nor is it a substitute for the services of a competent tax professional. The United States tax code is complex and changes regularly. It is extremely difficult for an individual to know all of the specifics of the tax code, and you could make an error, causing you to pay more in taxes. This oversight may end up costing you more than what you saved in preparation fees, particularly if you factor in penalties and interest from the IRS if you file an incorrect return. If your return is audited you cannot avoid penalties by blaming any errors on the software.

Here are five things you should know about the health care law that will help you get ready to file your tax return.

Coverage requirements

The Affordable Care Act requires that you and each member of your family have qualifying health insurance coverage for each month of the year, qualify for an exemption from the coverage requirement, or make an individual shared responsibility payment when filing your federal income tax return.

Reporting requirements

Most taxpayers will simply check a box on their tax return to indicate that each member of their family had qualifying health coverage for the whole year. No further action is required. Qualifying health insurance coverage includes coverage under most, but not all, types of health care coverage plans.

For a limited group of taxpayers, that is, for those who qualify for, or received advance payments of the premium tax credit, the health care law could affect the amount of your tax refund or the amount of money you may owe when you file in 2015.

Exemptions

You may be eligible to claim an exemption from the requirement to have coverage. If you qualify for an exemption, you will need to complete the new IRS Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, when you file your tax return. You must apply for some exemptions through the Health Care Insurance Marketplace. However, most of the exemptions are easily obtained from the IRS when you file your tax return. Some of the exemptions are available from either the Marketplace or the IRS.

If you receive an exemption through the Marketplace, you’ll receive an Exemption Certificate Number to include when you file your taxes. If you have applied for an exemption through the Marketplace and are still waiting for a response, you can put “pending” on your tax return where you would normally put your Exemption Certificate Number.

Individual Shared Responsibility Payment

If you do not have qualifying coverage or an exemption for each month of the year, you will need to make an individual shared responsibility payment when you file your return for choosing not to purchase coverage.

Premium Tax Credits

If you bought coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you should receive Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement from your Marketplace by early February. Save this form because it has important information needed to complete your tax return.

If you are expecting to receive Form 1095-A and you do not receive it by early February, contact the Marketplace where you purchased coverage. Do not contact the IRS because they will not have access to this information.

If you benefited from advance payments of the premium tax credit, you must file a federal income tax return. You will need to reconcile those advance payments with the amount of premium tax credit you’re entitled to based on your actual income. As a result, some people may see a smaller or larger tax refund or tax liability than they were expecting. When you file your return, you will use IRS Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC), to calculate your premium tax credit and reconcile the credit with any advance payments.

For more information about the Affordable Care Act and your 2014 income tax return, call us today at (828) 513-0523 to schedule your free consultation, or click the following link to be redirected to the health care section of our website at http://www.rdsfinancialservices.com/hendersonville-nc-health-insurance-quotes.html.

Look To Us For All Of Your Financial Needs.

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The Real Meaning Of Christmas

12/15/2014

It's that time of year again.

December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Dinners with family and friends may be only a wish and not a reality for some.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy! It's a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Luke 2: 4-19 says:

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Why did He come?

Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole.

"But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong."
I John 1:9

We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year.

This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year To You & Yours.

A Dose of Gratitude: How Being Thankful Can Keep You Healthy

11/27/2014

Studies show that people who regularly practice giving thanks are happier.

What if there was a solution to stress so simple that it involved nothing more than feeling thankful for the good things in your life? In fact, there is. That solution is called gratitude.

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice feeling thankful have a leg up when it comes to their health. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, has been a leading researcher in this growing field, termed “positive psychology.” His research has found that those who adopt an “attitude of gratitude” as a permanent state of mind experience many health benefits.

Emmons’ findings, along with those from other researchers such as Lisa Aspinwall, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, suggest that grateful people may be more likely to:

take better care of themselves physically and mentally
engage in more protective health behaviors and maintenance
get more regular exercise
eat a healthier diet
have improved mental alertness
schedule regular physical examinations with their doctor
cope better with stress and daily challenges
feel happier and more optimistic
avoid problematic physical symptoms
have stronger immune systems
maintain a brighter view of the future

With that list of benefits, who wouldn’t want to try it? To get started giving thanks, consider integrating some of the steps below into your daily life.

Focus Attention Outward

Your attitude plays a large role in determining whether you can feel grateful in spite of life’s challenges. According to Emmons, gratitude is defined by your attitude towards both the outside world and yourself. He suggests that those who are more aware of the positives in their lives tend to focus their attention outside of themselves.

Be Mindful of What You Have

You may assume that those with more material possessions have more to be grateful for. However, research suggests otherwise. Edward Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, found that a high percentage of affluent people in Japan report low levels of life satisfaction, just as those living in poverty in India do. These findings suggest that it’s not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes the difference.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Recording what you feel grateful for in a journal is a great way to give thanks on a regular basis. Emmons found that those who listed five things they felt grateful for in a weekly gratitude journal reported fewer health problems and greater optimism than those who didn’t. A second study suggests that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly writing.

Reframe Situations as Positive

It’s not actually a challenging situation that is upsetting. It’s how you perceive the situation. The next time you find yourself complaining about life’s hassles, see if you can mentally “flip the switch” to frame things differently. For example, rather than getting down about missing an opportunity, try to see the positive side. You might now have more time to direct towards other priorities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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